All Saints' Church, Huntingdon facts for kids
All Saints' Church is a historic Church of England building in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England. This church stands on a very old site where other churches have been before. The first time a church was mentioned here was way back in 973 AD. It was originally dedicated to either St Mary or The Blessed Virgin and All Martyrs.
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A Look at the Church's Design
The church has a mix of old styles. The part called the chancel, which is near the altar, is from the Early English Period. Most of the church, however, shows the Late Perpendicular Gothic style. This means it has tall, slender windows and strong vertical lines. It was built around the time of King Henry VII and then rebuilt in 1620.
Inside the Church
The church was carefully restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott. During this work, new oak roofs were added. Old carvings were kept if possible, or copied exactly. The church has a chancel, a main area called the nave, and side aisles. There is also a south porch and a tall tower on the west side. This tower, also in the Perpendicular style, holds four bells.
You can see many beautiful stained-glass windows inside. The pulpit, where sermons are given, is made of carved alabaster. It has fancy metal railings made from copper, brass, and tin. The font, used for baptisms, is carved stone. It stands on columns made of different kinds of marble.
Special Features
All Saints' Church has a large organ with three rows of keys. It has many different sounds, called stops. The seating areas, known as stalls, are made of carved oak mixed with walnut and cedar wood. A special screen behind the altar, called a reredos, was added in the 1800s. It is made of carved oak with figures and detailed designs. The church also has a vestry, which is a room for clergy, that was made larger and decorated. The church can seat about 500 people.
Famous Connections
The church holds important records, called registers. These include records from another church, St John Baptist, which was taken down. The registers for All Saints' Church itself start from 1558.
Oliver Cromwell's History
A very famous entry in the St John's register is the baptism of Oliver Cromwell in 1599. Oliver Cromwell later became a powerful leader in England. The records also mention that about twenty years later, he had to make up for some past actions. Cromwell's family name appears often in the registers. His father, Robert Cromwell, was buried in the church on June 24, 1617.
Mary Queen of Scots' Journey
The church also has a connection to Mary Queen of Scots. The records mention that her body rested within the church walls for a time. This happened when her body was being moved from Peterborough Cathedral to Westminster Abbey. Her son, King James I, ordered her body to be moved to Westminster Abbey.
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